After mass shootings, gun advocates in Texas worry about a political shift

[Zorro]

Four years ago, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott urged his constituents to arm up. “I’m EMBARRASSED: Texas #2 in nation for new gun purchases, behind CALIFORNIA,” he tweeted. “Let’s pick up the pace Texans.”

Last week, as Texas was coming to terms with recent back-to-back mass shootings, Abbott sounded like a changed man.

“The Texas House & Senate are getting to work on laws to keep communities safe from gun violence,” Abbott tweeted, promising proposals this week to help prevent more massacres.

The governor reassured his supporters that he remains a staunch defender of the 2nd Amendment. But in a state as serious about guns as Texas — whose unofficial motto, “come and take it,” summarizes the stance of many residents when it comes to their firearms — even a slight diversion from the gun lobby agenda can set people off.

https://www.latimes.com/world-nation/story/2019-09-08/texas-mass-shootings-gun-control-governor-greg-abbott

[Paladin]

1. Greg Abbott is a piece of shit.

If he's ever lived a decent day in his life, I have yet to hear about it.

[Zambero]

2. And yet another "shooting"

The Texas GOP has been repeatedly directing fire at its own foot. Ignoring the wishes of its citizens for safer gun laws while kowtowing to the gun lobby will continue to erode that party's standing at the state and federal levels. If the GOP is entertaining the hope of winning back the House and keeping the Senate, unflinching bass-ackward gun policy might prove to dash those prospects given future outcomes in Texas, Arizona, and elsewhere.

[maxsolomon]

3. Don't worry, little guys!

No one will do anything. There will be a lull in Rampage Shootings and the "do something, do anything" pressure will reset to 0.

[gratuitous]

4. We did a focus group, boss

Turns out people don't like getting shot.